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TITLE:   Operation  Clean Sweep (Part 3 of the Treachery Series)
RATING: 
 PG (this chapter) 
CHARACTERS:  Ianto, Jack, Owen, Tosh, Gwen
DISCLAIMER:  Not mine; Aunty B's and RTD's
WORDS: ~ 1250
SUMMARY:  A post-cyberwoman fic. Evidence of Ianto's time with Torchwood is eradicated.

A/N:  For ease of identification, I'm going to call this the Treachery Series and give it its own little space on my main story page.

Treachery (Part 1) here: 
http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/49816.html (PG13)
Prisoner Number 35417  (Part 2)  here: http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/83412.html (PG)


Tosh and Gwen were greeted at the door by Owen when they arrived at Ianto’s flat. He handed Tosh a key and tried to quickly make his exit.

“Owen,” Tosh said putting a hand on shoulder as he moved past her, “wait up a minute.”

“Great,” Owen, thought, “just what I need, interrogation by Tosh.” He steeled himself as he turned to face her and Gwen.

“How is Ianto doing?  What’s happening to him?”

Owen had to restrain himself from losing his composure. What could he possible say to Tosh, ‘just fine for a man who is imprisoned by UNIT?’ He wasn’t kidding when he had reminded Jack that deceptive stories were not his forte; that was always Tosh and Ianto’s territory.

“Owen, are you OK?” Gwen asked.

“Yeah, yeah, just got a lot on my mind. Jack’s created a new identity for Ianto and is taking him to a new location today. And before you ask, no, I don’t know anything about his new identity or whether he’s still in Cardiff or even Wales for that matter.”

”But wouldn’t Jack need some help…”

“Tosh, leave it. Jack been working at Torchwood a long time and believe it or not, he knows what he’s doing. Probably one of his primary responsibilities as a young recruit.”

Tosh began to speak again but Owen quickly silenced her. “Seriously Tosh, Jack was so angry after you two left that I was sure he was going to execute Ianto. So let’s be grateful that he calmed down.” He saw the wheels turning in Tosh’s head and knew just what she was thinking. “And please don’t go meddling to find out where Ianto is. You could be signing his death warrant if you were to do that.”

Gwen watched the exchange silently as she too sensed that something wasn’t right. While she had almost been converted by the cyberwoman, she was shocked to think that Ianto might have been executed. Punished, sure, fired, maybe but even retconned seemed awfully harsh.

Once Owen had left Tosh and Gwen went into Ianto’s flat. They were both shocked to see that it was a drab small studio flat, furnished with only a mattress on the floor a small chest of drawers and numerous sealed boxes.

“That’s odd,” Gwen remarked as she looked at the boxes. “Did Owen box up stuff before we got here?”

Tosh walked over to a box and tore the seal open. She gasped at what she found. “Gwen, I don’t think these boxes have ever been open, come over and have a look.”

Inside the box were women’s clothing, shirts and some lingerie. “You don’t think…”

“I’m pretty sure these are Lisa’s clothes.” Tosh sighed. “He really did believe he could find a cure for her. And look what its cost him.”

“You forget that I was almost killed by that..that…thing.”

“No I haven’t. But here you are safe, and Ianto has had at least three years of his memory stripped away, maybe more, and a confusing new life to face.”

Tosh explained that all memories regarding Lisa or Torchwood would have to be erased. “Which means he’s going to wake up in a strange place with a huge gap in his memories with no friends or family to turn to.”

“That’s horrible.” All Tosh could do was nod in agreement.

In the end they opened up all the sealed boxes. Jack had ordered them to check every possible place for any hidden cyber-technology or other items that were alien in origin. In addition to Lisa’s clothes and personal items, they found books and DVDs and much of Ianto’s possessions that one would expect to find in his flat.

Gwen was practically in tears. “He never even unpacked! He came home to this dreary flat with just a bed and some clothes.” 

“If he even came home,” Tosh replied as she walked into the tiny kitchen and opened a cabinet. It was completely empty. A thorough search of the kitchen found one cabinet with a few dishes and cups and one drawer with a mismatched assortment of flatware. The refrigerator was empty except for a couple cans of beer.

Tosh turned on the kitchen taps and there was a sputtering sound until some brackish water ran out. It took some time before the water ran clear. The same was true of the bathroom taps on both the sink and tub. It was clear that he hadn’t been to his flat very often and certainly not in recent days.

They resealed the cartons and boxed up the remainder of Ianto’s possessions. “That’s so sad,” Tosh thought as she realized that all of his unboxed possessions fit into three cardboard cartons.

Their call to the Hub was answered by Owen who told them that Jack hadn’t returned from relocating Ianto but that he had left instructions for them to leave everything boxed to be dealt with later.

“Do you need us back at the Hub?” Tosh asked.

“No, the rift has been quiet. Jack said he would contact you both later with instructions for tomorrow.”

Tosh felt a flutter of unease as she wondered why they couldn’t come back to the Hub.

As if Owen could read her thoughts, he continued, “Yeah, I’m going through Ianto’s workstation but Jack wants to check the Archives personally before both of you return. Said something about a bomb or a booby trap.”

“But he let you stay.”

“Guess I’m more expendable,” Owen said, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.

“Uh…Ok, Owen, we’ll see you whenever, I guess.”

Tosh looked at Gwen who shrugged. She hadn’t been part of the team very long and she didn’t think Owen said anything out-of-line. She noticed that Tosh was exhausted. Well, Ianto was closest with Tosh so that was understandable.

“Would you like to go get a drink?” she asked tentatively. Tosh did not seem like the go out and gossip type of co-worker, but still it was worth a try.

“I think I’ll pass. I just want to go home and curl up with a good book…and have a good cry.”

Back at the Hub, Owen exhaled as he hung up the phone. Looking over at Jack’s office he saw Jack in total concentration on his computer screen. Owen had finished his clean up some time ago and had searched Ianto’s work station. Not much of interest there, Owen thought. The usual paper, pens, lists for supplies. Nothing, not one thing that would have hinted at the horror that Ianto was hiding downstairs. 

He had offered to check the archives, but Jack had declined his assistance. He had organized all his supplies in the medical bay, twice, and wanted to leave. Heading into Jack’s office he recounted what Tosh had told him.

“And you told her I was still away and I would call her and Gwen later?” Owen nodded. “Good.”

“Well if there’s nothing else…”

“Just one more thing. Let me grab my coat. We’re going to Ianto’s flat to move everything out.”

“Are we going to the offsite storage facility?”

“No. We’re bringing everything back here and incinerating it.”

“But I thought protocol said we are to store everything in case further investigation was warranted.”

“Any further investigation will be handled by UNIT. As far as we are concerned, after today, Ianto Jones ceases to exist. In fact he never existed. His name will never be spoken by any Torchwood employee in my hearing again.”    

Chapter 4 here: http://aviv-b.livejournal.com/84590.html


  

Date: 2011-01-23 03:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] michael-the-car.livejournal.com
Ouch... the sheer loneliness that was Ianto's existence is heartbreaking.

Date: 2011-01-23 08:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
He really was only keeping himself together in order to take care of Lisa.

Date: 2011-01-23 03:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tartan-tarte.livejournal.com
Eeek!!! *quickly goes in search of some fluff*

Poor Ianto! I'm glad that someone sees how difficult and desolate his existence was. I can certainly understand Jack's reaction to events but...eeek!!

Date: 2011-01-23 08:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Jack knows how dangerous the cyberwoman was. But its the personal betrayal that pushed Jack over the edge.

Date: 2011-01-23 03:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] honey-felidae.livejournal.com
*sniffle*
*bite into a tissue*
*sniffle a bit more*

Date: 2011-01-23 08:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Come here. don't cry. Have a cookie. But keep the kleenex handy.

Date: 2011-01-23 08:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] honey-felidae.livejournal.com
*hugs and nibbles on cookie*
I do! I do!

Date: 2011-01-23 05:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] janiemc.livejournal.com
oh, um, gulp poor Ianto, just waiting for a slip up from Owen and the proverbial hitting the fan

Date: 2011-01-23 08:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
You may be surprised at what actually happens.

Date: 2011-01-23 05:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] evalentine99.livejournal.com
That wa so sad, the man was living a half live.

I almost cried when i read this.

Brilliant.

Date: 2011-01-23 08:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Yeah, everything he did was based on Lisa getting better. When she died, he didn't have anything to lose.

Date: 2011-01-23 11:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moonfirefic.livejournal.com
The loneliness of this is heartbreaking, and makes me even more uneasy about just what UNIT is going to do with him...

Date: 2011-01-24 02:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Its not going to be pretty.

Date: 2011-01-24 02:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] royalladyemma.livejournal.com
Holy shite -- just read 1-3 and I've got this cold knob of fear in my belly over Ianto's future. Where on earth did you find this Jack -- what complete and total bastard! I hope he realises that karma's a bitch, and bad karma comes back on you three-fold!!! I'm sure someone (hint, hint) will make sure he gets exactly what he's got coming to him. Because what he's done and is doing to Ianto is absolutely inexcusable. It's quite obvious that he's never been to Ianto's, or he'd have come to understand the desperation and faith that make Ianto believe so completely that Lisa could be saved. Jack is such a prick!!!!

Date: 2011-01-24 03:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
This Jack is how I visualize him when he was a Time Agent (or if he were a bit darker when he was introduced in Dr. Who). I think he can be ruthless when he wants to be - and for personal as well as professional reasons, he chooses to be very ruthless. Karma will be a huge bitch, but not in the way you're probably thinking.

Date: 2011-01-24 01:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jsks.livejournal.com
my heart is breaking and may be beyond cookies for comfort.

Date: 2011-01-24 02:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Oh dear! Mor angst ahead I'm afraid.

Date: 2011-01-24 11:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bbmcowgirl.livejournal.com
I had a very painful lump in my throat through all three stories. I hate what Jack is doing/done to Ianto. I had a idea that during the year that never was Ianto, who had escaped from UNIT at some point, teamed up with the rest of TW3 and while trying to rescue Jack (Tosh can be very convincing) was tortured and killed in front of him. After time resets Jack's guilt over his treatment of Ianto causes him to arrange Ianto's release back into his care. From there they both try to make amends to each other and the rest of the team and begin the process of forgiveness.

Date: 2011-01-25 12:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
That's a very interesting idea - but not where this is going. The moral of the story will be that karma really is a bitch.

Date: 2011-01-25 01:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] observer3.livejournal.com
I kind of wasn't sure how this story would go or if I could get into it, but after reading chap 3, think I am hooked...I suspect that something is going to happen and why do I suspect that Tosh is going to be important in the story

Date: 2011-01-25 01:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Something will happen, Tosh will be important. Hang on!

Date: 2011-01-30 01:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Yep! - Ianto's in big trouble now.

Date: 2011-02-20 05:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] owensheart.livejournal.com
Woah!! that last paragraph... I CANNOT believe jack would say that.

Oh what a lonely exixtence Ianto led.

Date: 2011-02-20 05:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
This is bastard Jack at his finest. But after what happened to him on Game Station, you can understand him freaking out.

Date: 2011-02-24 01:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hab318princess.livejournal.com
oh wow... Ianto's being erased...
great fic though

Date: 2011-02-24 02:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Thanks!

Date: 2011-08-19 07:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wake-the-dragon.livejournal.com
Ianto's apartment was so depressing. I can't get over how he held onto Lisa's things, desperately hoping for some way to save her, or how he clearly hardly ever went back to his apartment.

I really hope Tosh is going to find Ianto. I can't wait for her to find out; I can't imagine she'll be too happy with Jack since she was imprisoned by UNIT and all.

I don't know why, but Jack inceinerating Ianto's belongings has really made me lose any sympathy for him; it just seems extra cruel on top of everything else he's already done to Ianto.

Good chapter.

Date: 2011-08-20 01:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aviv-b.livejournal.com
Thanks - Jack really is a bastard in this story. He's more like the Jack we here about as a Time Agent. And removing every trace of someone's existence is Jack's way of saying that Ianto is 'dead to him.'
Edited Date: 2011-08-20 01:33 am (UTC)

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